Loose leaf binder



LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed May 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTDRNEYS Jan. 4, 1938. H. c. LENHART LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed May 27. 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v u ll.

I a m Patented Jan. 4-, 1938 Ni'iED STATES- ATET OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Application May 27, 1932, Serial No. 613,905

26 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in loose leaf binders in which carrya ing posts for the sheets of paper or leaves are releasably secured to the opposite longitudinal sides of the back member.

In books of the above mentioned class, the sheets are placed in the book after one of the covers has been swung to the open position by first loosening that end of the posts adjacent said cover from the back member. The sheets are then mounted on the posts by inserting the posts through respective holes in the paper, after which the free ends of the posts are again secured to the back and the cover may then be. returned to the closed position.

The means for securing the posts to the back members in books of this description usually consists of a housing secured to the back member at each longitudinal side thereof and into which the ends of the posts are inserted. Each of these housings has a sliding member which carries a series of pintles adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from holes in the ends of the posts, and the necessary manipulation of these sliding members to engage and release the posts has heretofore. required that both operations of the sliding members be accomplished manually.

The main object of this invention is to provide a loose leaf binder with a postsecuring structure which will automatically secure the posts in position for holding the leaves during the closing of the book.

Another object is to provide a loose leaf binder with a device which will automatically hold the structure for securing the sheet-carrying members to the binder out of fastening engagement with the carrying members, and which may be manually manipulated for releasing the securing structure to permit said structure to again engage the carrying members for the sheets.

Other objects and advantages relating to the details of the structure. and form and relation of the parts thereof will more readily appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:--

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the various features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of my novel book in the open position with leaves in the book, and with one end of the posts released from the back member and the pintle bar maintained in the outer position ready to be released for engaging the posts.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view with the book in the closed position taken through the pintle stop bar and detent therefor, substantially in the plane of the line 4-4, Figure 3. s

Figure 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional view through one of the pintle bar housings taken in the plane of the line 55, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through one of the. posts taken substantially in the plane of the line 6B, Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 5 illustrating a modified form of pintle bar control means.

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view through the pintle bar control means illustrated in Figure 7 and taken in the plane of the line 88, Figure 7. I

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, illustrating the pintle bar holding means and trip therefor; as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view,

partly in section, illustrating the pintle bar control latch shown in Figure 7 in the operative position.

The device, as illustrated in the drawings, consists of a binder including a binder covering structure comprising a back member I and two covers 2 and 3. Each cover is hingedly connected to a respective longitudinal side of the back member I by hinge members 4 and 5 held in co-acting relation by means of a pivot rod 6. The back member I may be constructed in any well-known manner, and in this instance, is made concavo-convex in cross-section with hinge members 4 permanently secured by rivets, or other suitable means, to the concave side of the back member I adjacent respective longitudinal edges.

The covers 2 and 3 are constructed preferably from cardboard or similar material in the conventional manner and, in this instance, each has its inner longitudinal edge provided with a recess or slot 8 formed intermediate the outer and inner surfaces thereof.

In this recess 8 is positioned the other hinge member as. 5 which may be secured to the cover by rivets or other suitable means. Each of the covers is also provided with a metal plate ll] L- shaped in cross-section, and which is secured by the rivets 9 to the inner surface of the cover with one leg ill of the plate extending outwardly along the adjacent longitudinal edge of the cover. The back member I carries on each edge adjacent respective covers 2 and 3, a tubular housing l2 rigidly ailixed thereto. These housings 12 extend inwardly adjacent the inner side of the respective hinge member 4 with the inner longitudinal edge thereof terminating a relativelyshort distance beyond the hinge member 4.

Each of the housing members l2 has portions of its inner edge cut away to form alined openings i3 adapted to receive therein an end of respective posts 14.

These posts l4 are, as illustrated, for the purpose of supporting the sheets of paper as I5 which 7 have the customary openings l6 arranged in 1ongitudinal spaced relation along one edge for receiving the posts therethrough. A top and bot tom sheet'l5 of heavy material adapted to protect the paper is provided with a metallic edging having apertures to fit over the posts. The inner edge of the metallic edging is bent as-shown in Figure 4 to extend over the edges of the top and bottom sheets of paper. j

The posts i4 have transverse openings IT in the ends thereof so positioned that when, the posts are in slots I3 of the housing, the openings I! will be in registration with the inner chamber I8 of the housing. Each of the housings l2 has a bar 19 slidably mounted for longitudinal movement therein and which is provided with a plurality of, in this instance, five longitudinally spaced pintles 28 adapted in one position to extend across the housing openings l3, and in another position, to be retracted to a position adjacent one end of said openings;

Each of the pintle bars l9 carries at one end, an extension 2| which projects fromv the housing l2, and is provided with a knob or handle 22- on the outer end thereof by means of which the pintle bars may be moved longitudinally with relation to the housing l2 for bringing the pintles from an operative position extending across respective housing openings l3, to an inoperativ position at one end of said openings.

This outward movement of each pintle bar I9 is effected against the action of a retracting spring 24. This spring 24 is mounted within the tubular housing I2 intermediate the ends thereof and adjacent the outer edge of the pintle bar t9, and has one end secured to the housing (see Figure 5) while the other end is made fast to the pintle bar so that the bar is constantly urged inwardly toward the operative position by the spring. This inward movement of the bar is is limited by the knob or handle 22 contacting with the adjacent end of the housing l2, while the outward movement of the bar may be, limited by any suitable meansas a stop 25 positioned to be engaged by the end of the pintle bar adjacent the handle 22, as said bar is moved outwardly.

This stop 25 may be formed in any suitable manner as by securing a pin to the walls of the housing so as to extend across housing chamber i8 as illustrated in Figure 5, or this stop may be formed by pressing a small portion as 25 of one side wall of the housing inwardly into the path of movement of the bar I9 as illustrated in Figure '7.

It may now be readily understood that when the pintle bar i9 is moved outwardly to bring the pinties 20 into the inoperative position, that said pintles will thereby be moved from a position across the openings 13 to a position adjacent one end of said openings, and thereby permit the ready entrance of the ends of the posts I4 into respective openings i3, after which the posts may be fastened in position in the housing by the inward movement of the bar l9, which will bring the pintles into engagement with the openings I! in the posts.

In order that each pintle bar may be maintained in the outer inoperative position against the action of the spring 24, I have provided a stop bar or latch 21 positioned within the housing chamber H3 at the opposite end of the pintle bar to that at which the handle 22 is located. This stop bar 21 is pivotally secured intermediateits ends as at 28 to the housing l2.

Theinner end 21' of the stop 21 extends some distance inwardly from the pivot 28 with the end portion thereof normally resting in proximity to the outer face of the adjacent end of the pintle bar I 9 when said pintle bar is in the inner operative position as illustrated in Figure 5, and when the pintle bar I9 is moved to the outer inoperative position, the action of the spring 29 which is arranged to press on the outer end of the stop bar 2'! beyond its pivot, throws the inner end 2? of the bar into the path of movement of the adjacent end of the pintle bar [9 as indicated by full lines in Figure 9, and thereby maintains the pintle bar in its outer inoperative position.

The spring 29, in this instance, has its other end secured to an adjacent Wall of the housing I2.

In order that the pintle bars may be released when desired, I have provided each cover 2 and 3 with a detent 3B which, during the closing of the cover, will be brought into engagement with the stop bar 21 for moving the inner end 21' thereof out of the path of movement of the pintle bar 69. This detent 30, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 9, is secured to or made integral with the leg H! of the respective cover plate H3, and is adapted, when the cover is in the closed position, to extend through an opening 3| provided in'the inner adjacent edge of the housing l2 so as to engage the inner edge of the stop bar 2-! for moving the inner end 21 of said bar outwardly against the action of the spring 29 and maintain said bar in the outer position until the cover is again moved from the closed position.

In Figures 7 and 8, there is illustrated a modified form of stop bar'for the pintle bar I9. This stop bar 32 is positioned similarly to the stop bar 21 at one end of pintle bar l9 and is pivotally connected as at 33 at one end to the housing l2.

The bar 32 extends inwardly from the pivot 33 with the inner end as 32' thereof normally positioned over the adjacent inner end of the pintle bar H! as illustrated in Figure 7 so that when the pintle bar is moved outwardly to the inoperative position, the inner end 32' of the stop bar 32 may move into the path of movement of said pintle bar and maintain said bar in its outer position.

The stop bar 32, in this instance, is constantly urged towards its inner holding position by means of a spring 34 which has one end positioned in a socket 35 provided in the outer longitudinal edge of the stop bar 32 while the other end of the spring engages the adjacent side wall of the housing chamber I8.

In order that the stop bar 32 may be moved said bar through an opening 31 provided in the p adjacent longitudinal inner edge of the housing I2. This extension 36 is adapted to be engaged by the leg I0 of the cover plate I I! when said cover approaches the closed position so that the stop bar 32 will be moved inwardly thereby against the action of the spring 35 for releasing the pintle bar I9 and permitting said pintle bar to be moved by the action of the spring 24 from the inoperative position with the pintles at one side of the openings I3 to the operative position with the pintles extending across said openings and into respective openings II provided in the posts I4.

Operation With the ends of the posts I4 secured in the housings I2 positioned at the top and bottom of the binder as best seen from Figure 6, and with the covers 2 and 3 in the closed position, and when it is desired to remove certain of the sheets I5 from the binder or to add other sheets to the binder, the cover nearest the side of the stack of leaves contained in the binder at which it is desired to make the change, as for instance, cover 2, is first moved to the open position after which the adjacent ends of the posts M may be released from the housing I2 by moving the respective pintle bar I9 outwardly against the action of the spring 24 for bringing the pintles 23 carried thereby from the operative position in engagement with the posts to the inoperative position adjacent the respective housing openings I3 and out of engagement with the openings I! in said posts.

As the pintle bar I9 approaches its outermost inoperative position, the respective stop bar 21 or 32, as the case may be, will be moved inwardly into the path of movement of the pintle bar by the action of the respective springs 29 or 3 1 and thereby maintain the pintle bar in its outer position.

The housing l2 may then be moved away from the posts M by swinging the back member I about the lower hinge pivot 6 to the open position as illustrated in Figure 3, thereby leaving the posts I4 readily accessible for placing other sheets thereon, or for removing sheets therefrom.

When it is desired to again fasten the posts to the housing I 2, this may be readily accomplished by simply swinging the back member I about the lower pivot 6 to the closed position and thereby bringing the adjacent ends of the posts I l into registration with the respective openings I3 provided in the housing, after which the cover as 2 may be moved to the closed position, and as said cover approaches its closed position, the adjacent ends of the posts will be aligned in the openings I3 by the engagement of the shoulder I0 with said posts and at the same time the pintle bar IE! will be released by the detent 3!] carried by the cover plate It], as illustrated in Figure '5, coming into contact with the stop bar 21 and moving said stop bar out of the path of movement of the pintle bar I9.

As said pintle bar is released by the stop bar, the pintles 20 will again be brought into engagement with the opening IT in the posts I4 by the action of the spring 24 upon the pintle bar I9.

If the stop bar is made as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the action for causing the pintles vice shown in Figure 5 except that the cover plate I0 will engage the projection 36 on the stop bar 32 causing said stop bar to be moved inwardly against the action of the spring 34 for releasing the pintle bar I9 and permitting the spring 2a to return the pintle bar to its operative position with the pintles 20 carried thereby into engagement with the openings I! in the posts I i.

It will also be obvious that with the latch or stop bar 32 as illustrated in Figures 7 and 10, the pintle bar may be released manually when it is desired to do so, by, pressing the extension 3'5 inwardly with the finger before the cover is moved to the closed position thereby causing the sheet-carrying posts to be secured in the binder without the necessity of closing the book.

Although there has been shown and particularly described, the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is notv desired to be limited to the exact construction shown as various changes, both in the form and relation of the parts, may be readily made without departing from the spirit of this invention as set forth in the ap pended claims.

I claim:

l. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hingedly connected to the back member, a plurality of posts, fastening means adapted to secure the posts to said back member, releasable means for maintaining the fastening means in the inoperative position and separate means for automatically moving the fastening means when released into holding engagement with the posts.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hingedly connected to the back member, a tubular housing having a plurality of spaced openings rigidly aflixed to the back member, a plurality of posts having ends adapted to extend into the openings in the housing, fastening means movable into and out of engagement with the posts for securing said posts in the housing, said fastening means being adapted to be manually moved to the inoperative position out of holding engagement with the posts, means for maintaining the fastening means in the inoperative position, and means actuated by the closing of the cover for releasing the fastening means and resilient means for moving the fastening means when released into engagement with the posts.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hingedly connected to the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts nor mally connected to the back member at both ends, a tubular housing mounted on the back member and provided with openings adapted to receive the ends of the posts, a movable member in said housing adapted to engage said posts to maintain leaves thereon, a stop member mounted in said housing adapted to hold the movable member in the inoperative position and having a portion projecting through the wall of the housing, means mounted on the cover adapted to engage said projecting portion for moving the stop member out of holding engagement with the movable member, and means for moving the movable member when released into operative engagement with said posts.

4. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hingedly connected to the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts normally connected to the back member at both ends, a tubular housing mounted on the back member and provided with openings adapted to receive the ends of the posts, a spring-actuated slide mounted in said housing adapted to engage said posts to maintain leaves thereon, a spring-actuated latch mounted in the housing adapted to hold the slide in the inoperative position and having a portion projecting through the wall of the housing, means mounted on the 'cover' adapted tubular housing mounted on'the backmember and provided with openings adapted to receive the ends of the posts, a spring-actuated slide mounted in said housing adapted to engage said posts to maintain leaves thereon, a spring-actuated latch mounted in the housing adapted to hold the slide in the inoperative position, means mounted on the cover adapted to extend through the housing for moving said latch out of holding engagement with the slide to permit said slide to move into operative engagement with said posts.

6. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, covers hingedly connected to opposite longitudinal sides of the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts, releasable -fastening means mounted on the back member adjacent the 1011- gitudinal sides adapted to engage respective ends of the posts to maintain leaves thereon; holding means associated with each fastening means for releasably maintaining said fastening means in the inoperative position, and-means actuated by the closing of the covers for releasing the respective holding means and permitting the corresponding fastening means to move into operative engagement with said posts.

7. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, covers hingedly connected to opposite longitudinal sides of the back member, a tubular housing mounted on the back member adjacent each longitudinal side, said housings having a plurality of spaced aligned openings, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts having ends adapted to extend into the openings in the housings, releasable fastening means mounted in the housings adapted to engage respective ends of the posts to maintain leaves thereon, holding means mounted in each housing for releasably maintaining said fastening means in the inoperative position, and means mounted on each cover adapted to extend through the corresponding housing for releasing the respective holding means and permitting the corresponding fastening means to move into holding engagement with the posts.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising a housing provided with side openings, a cover associated with said housing, a series of leaf-impaling members the ends of which are adapted to enter said openings, aslide movable in the housing and having means engaging said leaf-impeding members for securing the members to said housing, means for holding said slide in position where said means does not engage said members, and means mounted on the cover for'releasing said holding means to permit the slide to move to a position where said means engage said members.

9. A loose leaf binder comprising a housing provided with side openings, a cover associated with said housing, a series of leaf-im'paling members the ends of which are adapted to enter said openings, a slide movable in the housing and having means engaging said leaf-impaling membersfor securing the members to said housing, means for holding said slide in position where said means does not engage said members, means mounted on the cover for releasing said holding means, and actuating means connected with the slide adapted to move the slide when released to a position where said means engage said members.

10. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover, hinge means connecting the back member to the cover, a tubular housing connected to the back member and provided with side openings, a slide'mounted in said housing, a pluralityof posts having end portions adapted for entering said openings and engagement with 'said slide, a spring connected to the slide and tending to move theslide in said housing in a direction to engage ends of said posts, latch means engageable with the slide for-holding the slide in a position where it is disengaged fromv said posts, and additional means actuated .upon closing of the cover for Withdrawing said latch means from holding engagement with said slide. l

11. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a. plurality of leaf-impaling posts, means moved into position by closing of the cover for aligning the adjacent ends of the posts, and means for automatically securing the posts to the back member during the closing of the cover.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover, hinge means connecting the back member to the cover, a tubular housing connected to the back member and provided with side openings, a slide mounted in the housing, a plurality of posts having end portions adapted for entering said openings and engagement with said slide, a spring connected to the slide and tending to move the slide in said housing in a direction to engage ends of said posts, latch means engageable with the slide for holding the slide in a position where it is disengaged from said posts, means moved into position'by closing of the cover for aligning the adjacent ends of the posts, and additional means actuated upon closing of the cover for Withdrawing said latch means from holding engagement with said slide.

13. In a loose leaf binder, a cover, a pintle slide, means normally urging said slide to closed position, means adapted to engage said slide to prevent movement of said slide to closed position, and means automatically moving said secondmentioned means to inoperative position when said cover is movedv to'closed position.

14. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a series of leaf-impaling members each secured at one end to the binder, a slide operably connected with the back member and having pintles adapted to releasably engage the other ends of said leaf-impaling members for securing the members to said back member, and spring actuated stop means movable into and out of engagement with the slide for releasably holding said slide in position where the pintles do not engage said members when said stop means is moved into engagement with said slide.

15. In a loose leaf binder embodying a plurality of impaling posts, a cover member having a casing for securing the ends of said posts, a slide in said casing having means for engaging said posts, yielding means connecting said slide and casing and effective, for normally drawing and yielding means in said casing for engaging said shoulder for maintaining said slide in a predetermined position against the action of said first-mentioned yielding means.

16. A loose leaf binder comprising a series of leaf-impal ng members, housings adapted to receive the ends of the members, a slide movable in each of the housings and having means engaging said leaf-impaling members, means for holding each slide in position where said means does not engage said members, and means for releasing said holding means to enable the slide to move to a position where said means engages said members.

17. A loose leaf binder comprising a series of leaf impaling members, a housing having openings adapted to receive said leaf-impaling members, a slide movable in said housing and having pintles adapted to engage said leaf-impaling members, spring-actuated stop means for retaining said slide in a position such that said pintles do not engage said leaf-impaling members, and

means for releasing said stop means.

18. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts normally secured to the binder covering at both ends, each of said leaf impaling posts having an opening at least at one end, said openings being substantially in alignment, a casing carried by the back member, movable means in said casing normally projecting into the openings in the posts, said means being manually mov able longitudinally of the casing to release the binder covering from the ends of the posts at least at one side of the binder to enable insertion or re moval of sheets of paper, and means for automatically projecting said first mentioned means into said openings during the closing of the cover as the binder covering is being brought toward a reassembled condition.

19. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of impaling posts normally secured to the binder covering at both ends for carrying a quantity of paper, said impaling posts each having an opening at least at one end thereof, said openings being substantially in alignment longitudinally of the binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering, a slide bar movable in said housing, a plurality of pintles carried by the slide bar, each pintle normally projecting at least partway into a respective post opening to secure the binder covering to the posts, said slide bar being accessible when the cover is in an assembled closed condition for movement longitudinally thereof to retract said pintles from said openings to disconnect the binder covering from the posts at one side of the binder to enable the insertion or removal of sheets of paper, and means for automatically projecting the pintles into the openings in the posts during the closing of the cover.

20. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, a pair of hinges arranged along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of impaling posts for retaining a quantity of paper secured at the same ends of the binder covering and having pintle openings in the other ends thereof, a housing rigidly secured to the binder covering, said housing having a plurality of openings for receiving the said other ends of the posts, a slide in said housing having a plurality of pintles adapted to extend respective- 1y into said openings to secure the binder covering to said other ends of the posts, means for manually moving said slide to retract the pintles from the openings in the posts, springs means normally urging said slide and pintles toward post engaging position, retaining means for holding said slide in retracted position against the action of said spring to enable sheets of paper to be inserted or removed from the binder, and means for tripping said retaining means out of slide holding position during the closing of one cover to enable said spring automatically to project said pintles into the openings in the posts.

21. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, a pair of hinges arranged along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of impaling posts for retaining a quantity of paper secured at the same ends to the binder covering and having pintle openings in the other ends thereof, a housing rigidly secured to the binder covering, said housing having a plurality of openings for receiving the said other ends of the posts, a slide in said housing having a plurality of pintles adapted to extend respectively into said openings to secure the binder covering to said other ends of the posts, means for manually moving said slide to retract the pintles from the openings in the posts, spring means normally urging said slide and pintles toward post engaging position, retaining means for holding said slide in retracted position against the action of said spring to enable sheets of paper to be inserted or removed from the binder, means carried by the binder covering for bringing the posts into alignment during the closing of the cover, and means for tripping said retaining means out of slide holding position during the closing of one cover to enable said spring automatically to project said pintles into the openings in the posts.

22. A loose leaf book comprising leaf-impaling members, means normally engaging said members at both ends to maintain leaves thereon, a springactuated latch associated with one end of said members adapted to hold said engaging means at that end out of engaging position to release leavesfrom said members, and means for moving said latch to release said engaging means to permit the engaging means to move to a position where it will maintain leaves on said members.

23 A loose leaf binder comprising leaf-impaling members, means normally engaging said members at both ends to maintain leaves thereon, means for holding said engaging means at one end out of engaging position to release leaves from said members, and means actuated by the closing of the binder for automatically releasing said holding means to enable the engaging means to move to a position where said engaging means will maintain leaves on said members.

24. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, a hinge arranged along each longitudinal edge of the back member, and a cover secured to each of said hinges, said two hinges constituting the sole means for hinging the covers relative to the back member, a plurality of impaling posts for retaining a quantity of paper secured at their corresponding ends to the binder covering, a housing having openings therein adapted to receive the other ends of the posts, latch means in said housing and latch engaging portions formed on said other ends of the posts, said cover being provided with means so constructed and arranged that, when the free cover and back are swung on said hinges toward a closed position, the other ends of the posts will be brought into registry with the openings in the housing without manually bringing said openings and the ends of the posts into registry, and said latch means being so arranged in said housing as automatically to engage the latch engaging portions formed on said other ends of the posts when the back and free cover are moved around said hinges and said cover is thrown to a closed position, without the necessity of exerting any separate manual efiort 0n the housing. 

